Keyboard with improved function and editing sections

ABSTRACT

A keyboard having an improved function key section and an improved editing section. A row of keys is located behind the alphanumeric section. The row of keys includes individual predefined command keys. The groupings of the predefined command keys may be made based on the functionality of the keys, their use on common applications or programs, and/or other by other grouping techniques. Further, the keys within each group may be ordered based on chronological order of use, frequency of use, or by a correlation to a graphical toolbar. Each of at least two adjacent groupings of keys behind the alphanumeric region consists of exactly three keys, and each of at least three adjacent key groupings in the entire row consists of exactly three keys. The keys are each capable of functioning as predetermined command keys in a first mode and standard function keys in a second mode. A Function Lock key may be used to convert these keys from their use in one mode as their predefined command keys to another mode where they become standard function keys. These keys are preferably primarily labeled as their command keys and secondarily labeled as standard function keys. The editing section includes a first key cluster having a plurality of keys forming a two dimensional array of cells. At least one key occupies a single cell and a Delete key occupies at least two cells. A key cluster is located behind and spaced from the editing section, and consists of an Undo key and a Redo key.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/948,676, filed Sep. 24, 2004, which application is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/843,799 (now U.S. Pat. No.6,910,818), filed Apr. 30, 2001; the entire contents of bothapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to keyboards for entering datainto text and office systems such as computers. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a keyboard having improved function andediting sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While there are many different keyboard designs, the general layout formany keyboards for text and office systems follows the InternationalStandard ISO/IEC 9995-1. This standard layout is shown in FIG. 1. Astandard keyboard 10 layout includes an alphanumeric section 12, anediting section 14, a numeric section 16, and a function section 18. Thealphanumeric section 12, sometimes referred to as the “QWERTY” section,typically includes keys for each of the letters of the alphabet, thedigits 0-9, and various punctuation symbols, and occupies zones ZA0 toZA4. The editing section 14, located to the right of the alphanumericsection 12, typically includes four directional arrow keys forcontrolling the cursor, and Insert, Delete, Home, End, PageUp, andPageDown keys, and occupies zones ZE0 to ZE2. The numeric section 16 islocated to the right of the editing section 14, typically includes keysfor each of the digits 0-9 and arithmetic operation symbol keys, andoccupies zones ZN0 to ZN6.

The function section 18 includes function keys and may be located in oneor more of the zones ZF0 to ZF4. As shown in FIG. 1, zones ZF0, ZF3, andZF4 are behind the alphanumeric section 12, the editing section 14, andthe numeric section 16, respectively, and zone ZF1 is located to theleft of alphanumeric section 12. Zone ZF2 normally consists of an Escapeor “Esc” key used interchagably herein.

The function keys in zone ZF0 commonly consist of ten or twelve standardkeys. These standard function keys are individually labeled F1 throughFx where x is usually 10 or 12. The standard function keys when pressedalone or pressed simultaneously with the Alt key, the Control key,and/or the Shift key, have different results depending on which programis running. For example, in Microsoft WORD, a word processing program,simultaneously pressing the Alt key, the Shift key, and the F2 keyproduces a File Save command. Simultaneously pressing the Control key,the Alt key and the F2 key produces a File Open command. Pressing theAlt key with the F4 key produces a Quit command. Pressing the F9 keyproduces an Update command that updates selected data fields.Simultaneously pressing the Shift key and the F7 key activates theThesaurus. In another example, pressing the Control key and the F10 keyproduces a command to Maximize the document window. In all, there arewell over 50 commands in Microsoft WORD7 that can be invoked by theshortcut of pressing the function keys F1-F12 alone or in combinationwith the Alt, Control, and/or Shift keys.

The large number of possible key combinations resulting with standardfunction key usage has inherent drawbacks that limit the effectivenessof the function keys. First, keyboard users have to remember whichcommands can be produced and which specific key combinations arerequired to be pressed to achieve the desired commands. The task ofmemorizing the vast menu of commands available and the specific requiredkey combinations for multiple applications can be a difficult task formany users. This memorization task is further complicated because thefunction keys alone and in combination with other keys can producedifferent commands depending upon the application that is running atthat time. Even if the key combinations are memorized, the thoughtprocess used to invoke the available commands and the associatedcombination of keystrokes can cause a break of concentration, slow downthe text entry, and/or decrease the efficiency of other activitiesassociated with the use of the keyboard.

Some portable computing devices that do not have full-size keyboardshave utilized an “Fn” key. This Fn key may be pressed simultaneouslywith other keys to produce special actions that vary depending on whichprogram is running. This Fn key has been used with standard functionkeys to launch various programs. However, multi-key actuations such asthis can be relatively time consuming and cause unnecessary distraction.

In addition, the physical layout on the keyboard of the function keys,such as F1-F12, is less than optimal. The conventional layout makes itdifficult for users to associate the location of the available commandsrelative to the function keys. If twelve function keys F1-F12 are used,they are most commonly found as one group of twelve keys or as threegroups of four keys. However, because these keys are not grouped orotherwise organized in a manner that is efficient and intuitive, mostusers rarely, if ever, utilize these keys.

Further, the editing section 14 of the keyboard typically includes fourarrow keys for controlling the cursor, and Insert, Delete, Home, End,PageUp, and PageDown keys, and occupies zones ZE0 to ZE2. In manyconventional keyboards, the Insert and Delete keys are placedimmediately next to each other with the Insert key being behind theDelete key. However, due to its location, the Insert key can be a trap,as it is often pressed by accident. The inadvertent pressing of theInsert key can cause a change to an “overwrite” mode and make unintendedchanges to the open document. Further, as the Delete key is one of themost frequently accessed editing keys, there is an increased possibilitythat the Insert key is inadvertently pressed when the Delete key is theintended key.

Accordingly, a more convenient keyboard having an improved function keysection, editing section, and/or surrounding keys is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improved keyboardhaving improved alphanumeric and editing sections.

In a feature of the invention, a row of keys is provided behind thealphanumeric or QWERTY section of the keyboard. The row of keys includesindividual command keys. Some preferred command keys are Find, Desktop(i.e., Minimize All), New, Open, Close, Reply (E-Mail), Forward(E-Mail), Send (E-Mail), Spell, Save, and Print. At least some of thesekeys are preferably grouped in threes. The groupings of the predefinedcommand keys may be arranged based on the functionality of the keys, usein common applications or programs, and/or other grouping techniques.Further, the keys within each group may be ordered based on expectedchronological order of use, frequency of use, or by a correlation to agraphical toolbar layout on a display. A Function Lock key may be usedto convert these keys from their use in one mode as their predefinedcommand keys to another mode where they become standard function keys.

In an aspect of the present invention a keyboard includes analphanumeric section and a row of keys spaced from the alphanumericsection. The row of keys includes first and second laterally spaced andadjacent key clusters that are located behind the alphanumeric section.The first and second key clusters each consists of exactly three keys.

In another aspect, a keyboard includes an alphanumeric section, anediting section, a numeric section, and a laterally extending row ofkeys. The row of keys is located behind and spaced from the alphanumericsection, the editing section, and/or the numeric section. The row ofkeys has a first key cluster, a second key cluster adjacent to andlaterally spaced from the first key cluster, and a third key clusteradjacent to and laterally spaced from the second key cluster. Each ofthe first, second, and third key clusters consists of exactly threekeys.

In another aspect of the invention, a keyboard includes a plurality ofkeys each capable of functioning as predetermined command keys in afirst mode and standard function keys in a second mode, and a functionlock selector. The function lock selector is actuable to change thefunctionality of the plurality of keys between the first and the secondmodes and maintain the mode until a subsequent actuation of the functionlock device is performed.

In another aspect of the present invention, a keyboard includes aplurality of keys each capable of functioning as predetermined commandkeys in a first mode and standard function keys in a second mode. Thekeys are secondarily labeled as standard function keys, i.e., the keysare secondarily labeled as one of F1 to Fx.

In another aspect of the invention, a keyboard includes an alphanumericsection and an editing section laterally disposed from the alphanumericsection. The editing section includes a first key cluster having aplurality of keys forming a two dimensional array of cells. Theplurality of keys includes at least one key occupying a single cell anda Delete key that occupies at least two cells.

In yet another aspect of the current invention, a keyboard includes analphanumeric section, an editing section laterally disposed from thealphanumeric section, and a key cluster. The key cluster consists of anUndo key and a Redo key and is located behind and spaced from theediting section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the zones of various keyboardregions as set forth in the International Standard ISO/IEC 9995-1;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary keyboard according to one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the editing section and adjacent areaof the keyboard of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As a preface to this section, a few terms as used herein are defined.

A “number pad”, as used herein, is defined as the group of keysoccupying the numeric section of a keyboard as set forth inInternational Standard ISO/IEC 9995-1, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

A “key cluster” is defined as a group of keys, each of which isimmediately adjacent, or in close proximity, to at least another keywithin the cluster and set apart from other keys on the keyboard by adistance larger than the spacing between the adjacent keys in thecluster and by a portion of the keyboard housing.

A key is “labeled” as a certain type of key when it includes indiciathereon or immediately adjacent thereto corresponding to the image to beprovided or associated function to be performed when that key ispressed. A key may be “primarily labeled,” and may further be“secondarily labeled.” For example, when activated or depressed alone,the digit 7 key may cause a symbol of the numeral 7 to be imaged. Inanother example, when activated or depressed alone, the Tab key mayprovide a Tab command function to be executed.

If a key has only one indicia thereon or immediately adjacent thereto,it is “primarily labeled” as to the image to be provided and/or theassociated function to be performed when that key is pressed. A keyhaving multiple distinct indicia thereon is both “primarily labeled” and“secondarily labeled.” That key is “primarily labeled” as a certain keywhen it has indicia corresponding to the image to be displayed and/orfunction to be performed that is more visually apparent or dominant withrespect to any other indicia of that key. That key is “secondarilylabeled” as a certain key when it has indicia corresponding to the imageto be displayed and/or associated function to be performed which is lessvisually apparent with respect to other indicia of that key. Indicia maybe dominant or more visually apparent relative to other indicia of thekey based on its position on or relative to the key, the color contrastof the indicia relative to the key, the size of the indicia, or anyother technique known for accentuating or de-accentuating indiciarelative to each other. For example, a key having an upper surface and asmaller visible front face surface as viewed during normal usage, withindicia on both surfaces, would be primarily labeled with the indicia onthe upper surface and secondarily labeled with the second indicia on thesmaller front surface. Similarly, a key that is colored black, having afirst indicia printed thereon that is white and a second indicia printedthereon that is red, would be primarily labeled corresponding to thefirst indicia and secondarily labeled corresponding to the secondindicia as a white-on-black contrast would make the first indicia moreapparent than the red-on-black contrast of the second indicia.

A “lock” key is a keyboard key used to toggle or switch each of a groupof keys between a first type of key and a second type of key. Forexample, a Num Lock key may toggle a group of keys in the numericsection between acting as digit keys and acting as cursor control keys.A Caps Lock key may toggle a group of keys in the alphanumeric sectionbetween acting as capital letter keys and acting as lower case letterkeys.

A Standard Function Key on a computer keyboard is one of a sequence ofspecial keys labeled “F1” through Fn (usually up to “F12”) that can beor is assigned a specific function. A standard function key may be usedto provide a specific command when it is pressed alone or in combinationwith the Shift key, the Alt key, and/or the Control key.

“File level” commands are commands associated with the opening, closing,saving, or printing of an existing file or the opening of a new file.

“Document Completion” commands are commands broadly associated with thechecking and reviewing of a document, frequently near the completion ofsome stage of preparation of a document, and may include Spell, Grammar,Print, and Save.

“Edit” commands are commands for editing documents and may include Undo,Redo, and well as command keys normally found in the editing section ofa keyboard.

“E-Mail” commands are commands associated with electronic mailingapplications and may include New, Close, Forward, Reply, Open, Spell,Send, Delete, Save, and/or Print.

An “ungrouped” or “isolated” key is a key surrounded entirely (i.e., infront, behind, left, and right) by an outer housing surface of thekeyboard and not being within a key cluster.

An exemplary keyboard design of the present invention is shown in FIGS.2-3 and designated by reference numeral 20. For reference purposes, thekeyboard 20 has a front edge 92 adjacent the user during use, and a backedge 93 distal from the user during use. Accordingly, an object is“behind” another object when it is between that object and the back edge93. An object is “directly behind” another object when it is betweenthat object and the back edge 93 and at least partially located withinthe lateral bounds of that object extending in the front-to-backdirection. An object is “entirely directly behind” another object whenit is between that object and the back edge 93 and entirely locatedwithin the lateral bounds of that object extending in the front-to-backdirection. An object is “in front of” another object when it is betweenthat object and the front edge 92. Further, the keyboard 20 also hasleft and right edges 94 and 95. The direction “lateral” defines thegeneral directions from the left edge 94 to the right edge 95 and fromthe right edge 95 to the left edge 94.

The keyboard 20 includes an alphanumeric section 24, an editing section26, a numeric section 28, and a function section 29. The alphanumericsection 24, sometimes referred to as the QWERTY section, may includekeys for each of the letters of the alphabet, each of the digits 0-9,and various punctuation symbols. The alphanumeric section 24 mayalternatively be a subset of these keys. The editing section 26,preferably located immediately to the right of the alphanumeric section24, preferably includes four arrow keys, Delete, Home, End, PageUp, andPageDown keys. The numeric section 28, is preferably to the right of theediting section 26. The numeric section 28 preferably includes digitkeys 0-9, arithmetic function keys /, *, −, and +, a decimal separatorkey, and an Enter key. In a preferred arrangement, the Tab key islocated in the numerical section where the NumLock key normally residesin many prior art keyboards. The function section 29 preferably includesa horizontal row of keys behind the alphanumeric section 24, editingsection 26, and numeric section 28. In a preferred arrangement, twelvekeys are located behind the alphanumeric section 24 and are preferablygrouped and labeled for at least an associated function as shown.

In a preferred arrangement, the editing section 26 includes a first keycluster 30 and a second key cluster 32 located at least partially behindthe first key cluster 32. The first key cluster 30 preferably includesfour cursor control keys. More specifically, it includes four arrow keysincluding an Up Arrow key 34, a Down Arrow key 36, a Right Arrow key 38,and a Left Arrow key 40. These keys 34, 36, 38, and 40 move the cursormove the cursor up, down, right, and left, respectively, in a mannerknown in the art.

The second key cluster 32 includes additional editing keys andpreferably includes a Home key 42, an End key 44, a Delete key 46, aPageUp key 48, and a PageDown key 50. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, thesefive keys 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 form an array that can generally bedefined as having two columns and three rows, producing six relativecells or spots. In the arrangement as shown, the Home key 42, the Endkey 44, the PageUp key 48, and the PageDown key 50 each occupy a singlespot or cell in the two-by-three array. The Delete key 46 is larger thanthe other keys in the cluster 32 and preferably occupies two cells. Morespecifically, the Delete key 46 preferably occupies the two lower rowsin the left column. This is advantageous as the increased size Deletekey 46 is one of the most frequently used editing keys.

Preferably, the editing section 26 including the second key cluster 32lacks an Insert key. In addition, the entire editing section 26 and thekeyboard 20 are preferably void of a primarily labeled Insert key. Manyprior art keyboards have an Insert key and a Delete key placedimmediately next to each other, with the Insert key being immediatelybehind the Delete key. However, due to such positioning, the Insert keyis effectively a trap, as it is often pressed by accident. Theinadvertent pressing of the Insert key can cause the user to makeunintended changes to the open document. As described in conjunctionwith the Function Lock key 100, the functionality of the rarely usedInsert key is preserved via a dual-mode key 86 positioned behind thenumeric section 28.

The function section 29, that is the region corresponding to zones ZF0,ZF2, ZF3, and ZF4 in FIG. 1, preferably has of a single row of keys.These keys preferably include, from left to right: an isolated Escapekey 54, a plurality of keys located behind the alphanumeric section 24,a key cluster 52 or group behind the editing section 26, and a keycluster 56 or group located behind the numeric section 56.

The key group behind the alphanumeric section 24 preferably includes aplurality of laterally spaced key clusters 58, 60, 62, and 62. The keyswithin each cluster are preferably primarily labeled as single commandkeys. That is, the normal pressing of any of these keys will cause acommand to be performed corresponding to its primarily labeled indicia.The keys are preferably grouped to increase efficiency of use. In oneembodiment, the keys may be clustered or grouped by “like” commands.Thus, keys for file level commands commonly performed in differentapplications, such as New, Open, Save, and/or Close, may be groupedtogether in a cluster. Keys for commands performed near the completionof a word processing document, e.g., Document Completion keys, such as,Spell (which produces a Spell Check), Grammar (which produces a GrammarCheck), Update (for data in Tables and Charts), Save, and/or Print, mayalso be grouped together. In another embodiment, the keys may be alsogrouped by commands for a specific application type. For example, keysfor frequently used E-mail commands, such as, New, Open, Reply, Forward,Send, Close, and/or Delete, may be grouped together. Further, keys forcommands relating to a certain genre or category may also be groupedtogether in a key cluster. For example, keys for commands that are “userassisting” in nature, like help and searching relating commands can begrouped together. Thus, in one embodiment, keys for Help, Find, andDesktop (i.e., Minimize All) are in a key cluster.

The keys may also be ordered within each cluster to increase efficiencyof use. In one preferred ordering scheme, the keys may be orderedleft-to-right in chronological order of use. For example, a computeruser will likely open a file (using Open) before closing it (usingClose). In another chronological grouping, a user using e-mail will Openincoming mail, Reply or Forward it, and then Send it with his or hercomments. The keys may also be selected and/or ordered to correspond tothe command icons on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). For example, thekeys may be ordered to replicate the order of selected icons on agraphical command toolbar.

The use of three keys in one or more clusters 58, 60, 62, and 64 in theillustrated embodiment improves the effectiveness of these keys. Thisgrouping in threes is advantageous as many applications have functionsthat can be thought to fall into groups of three. In an exemplaryarrangement, the key clusters 58, 60, 62, and 64 behind the alphanumericor QWERTY section 24 consist of one or more clusters of exactly threekeys. As shown, the keyboard 20 may have four laterally adjacent keyclusters 58, 60, 62, and 64 each consisting of three keys. In oneexemplary embodiment, one key group 58 may include and/or consist of aHelp key 70, a Find key 71, and a Desktop key 72. The Find key 71 may beconfigured to produce a “Find” command or a “Find and Replace” command.The Desktop command minimizes the size of all open applications andshows the desktop display of graphical user interface and its icons.Another key group 60 preferably includes and/or consists of file levelcommand keys such as a New key 73, an Open key 74, and a Close key 75.Another key cluster 62 behind the alphanumeric section 24 may includeand/or consist of E-mail commands such as a Reply key 76, a Forward key77, and a Send key 78. In yet another key group 64 behind the numericsection 24, the set of keys can include document finishing command keysincluding and/or consisting of a Spell key 79, a Save key 80, and aPrint key 81.

In an alternative arrangement, not shown, the Find key 71 and theDesktop key 72 are replaced by Office Home and Task Pane keys,respectively. Such an Office Home key would launch a web browser andtake the user to a predefined URL if desired. Such a Task Pane key woulddisplay a graphical user interface enabling the user to select a choicefrom a number of “tasks” such as searching, editing, etc.

The command keys 70-81 are preferably primarily labeled as or accordingto the command they perform when pressed. As shown in FIG. 2, these keysare each secondarily labeled as a standard function key, i.e., as one ofF1 to F12. In one embodiment, the indicia corresponding to the commandis printed on the top surface of each key to indicate its primary use,and the indicia indicating its secondary use as a standard function keyis printed on the less visually apparent front face. In otherembodiments of the invention, not shown, the primary command indicia maybe made more prominent than the secondary indicia by the use of colorcontrast and/or size in addition to or in lieu of the placement of theindicia on different key surfaces.

The keyboard 20 also has a Function lock key 100. The Function Lock key100 is preferably positioned at back left of keyboard 20, behind the rowof command keys 70-81. The Function Lock key 100 permits the keys 70-81to behave as they are primarily labeled (i.e., as specific Command keys)when the Function Lock key 100 is in a first mode, or as they aresecondarily labeled (i.e., as a specific standard function key) when theFunction Lock key 100 is in a second mode. The Function Lock key 100 ispreferably a locking key and will remain in its current mode unless itis pressed or otherwise activated again, whereupon it will switch modes.This key locking capability is similar to the operation of a Caps Lockkey or a Num Lock key of existing keyboards. If desired, the FunctionLock key 100 may be positioned within the row 29 of function keys, or inany other desirable location, in lieu of its depicted position.

In a preferred arrangement, the Function Lock Key 100 defaults tomaintaining the keys 70-81 to behave in the first mode. However, in analternative embodiment, the Function Lock Key 100 defaults tomaintaining the keys 70-81 to behave in the second mode. Thisalternative arrangement may be beneficial for keyboards with sets ofkeys corresponding to certain non-English languages, such as keys thatuse iconic word representations, e.g., Japanese.

A function lock mode indicator 102 is provided in the form of anilluminated member such as an LED. This indicator 102 indicates the modestatus of the Function Lock key 100. The indicator 102 is preferablylocated immediately proximate to or on the Function Lock key 10. Thisindicator 102 provides feedback to computer users whether the keys 70-81are acting as Command keys (preferably indicated by the LED being in anOFF state) or as Standard Function (F1-F12) keys (preferably indicatedby the LED being in an ON state).

Another key cluster 52 may be in the same row with key clusters 58, 60,62, and 64 and may be located behind the editing section 26. This keygroup or cluster 52 may include an Undo key 84 and a Redo key 85. Thetwo keys 84 and 85 are labeled in the present embodiment as Undo andRedo keys. These two keys are almost always considered by most users andin most software applications as a functional pair and are thereforepreferably provided in the key cluster 52 consisting of exactly thesetwo keys. The Undo key 84 may be behind and preferably the same widthand exactly in line with the Home and Delete keys 42 and 46 of theEditing section 26. The Redo key 85 may be behind and preferably thesame width and exactly in line with the End, PageUp, and PageDown keys44, 48, and 50 of the Editing section 26. Accordingly, as shown, thewidth of the Undo/Redo key cluster 52 is the same as the width of theupper key cluster 32 in the Editing section 26. The grouping andplacement of the Undo and Redo keys 84 and 85 are beneficial since theyare normally both associated with editing functions.

The keyboard 20 preferably includes four function keys 86-89, in thesame row as Command keys 70-81, and located in the same group or cluster56 behind the numeric section 28. These keys 86-89 are the Equals “=”key 86, the Left Parenthesis “(” key 87, the Right Parenthesis “)” key88, and the Backspace key 89. These keys 86-89 are preferably primarilylabeled as their primary command. These keys 86-89 are preferably alsosecondarily labeled with indicia to indicate that they may secondarilybe used as Insert, Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause/Break keys,respectively. As with keys 70-81, the keys 86-89 over the numericsection 28 preferably behave according to the mode of the Function Lockkey 100. However, it is recognized that keys 86-89 may be controlled bya different locking key having mode control capabilities.

This key cluster 56 is beneficial for increasing the efficiency ofnumerical data input. Using many conventional keyboards, the usertypically has to awkwardly take time to locate the Equals key and theBackspace key with the left hand on the main QWERTY or alphanumericsection or remove the right hand from the number pad and reach into thealphanumeric section to locate and activate such a key. The problem waseven worse for the Left Parenthesis and Right Parenthesis keys 81 and82, having to awkwardly take time to locate the digit 9 key and thedigit 0 key, and simultaneously locate and activate a Shift key tochange the function of the digit 9 key and the digit 0 key. Acquiringthe primarily labeled keys 86-89 to provide these characters andcommands is significantly more efficient than the conventionalarrangement.

Additionally, the keyboard 20 preferably does not include a primarilylabeled Num Lock key. To retain the ability to use the rarely needed NumLock functionality, a key, such as the Tab key in the numeric section 28may be secondarily labeled as a Num Lock key. The Function Lock key 100would convert the Tab key to behave as a NumLock key in a manner asdescribed relative to keys 70-81 and keys 86-89.

Further, the keys 70-81, keys 84-85, and keys 86-89 are preferablylocated within the natural finger extension range of the common userwhen he or she is using the alphanumeric section 24, editing section 26,and numerical section 28, respectively. In a first arrangement, asshown, the gap 99 on the housing 22 between the horizontal row of keysincluding keys 70-81, 84-85, and 86-89 and the top row of keys in thealphanumeric, editing, and numerical sections 24, 26, and 28 ispreferably 6 mm. However, the present invention includes arrangementswith gaps greater and smaller than 6 mm, including an arrangement, notshown, where there is no gap separating the rows of keys.

Additionally, the keyboard 20 preferably includes a plurality of“launch” or additional command keys 105. These keys 105 are preferablylocated behind the row of keys 70-81, 84-85, and 86-89. These keys 105may be keys that launch various programs or routines when pressed.Preferred launch keys 105 for the keyboard 20 are preferably labeled foraction for launching a word processing program such as WORD, aspreadsheet program such as EXCEL, a web browser program, a Mailprogram, a Calendar program, a Calculator, and/or may be additionalcommand controls such as Mute, Volume Up, Volume Down, Log Off, andSleep.

The relative locations between keys, key clusters, rows, and keyboardsections are preferably as shown in the figures. Thus, for example,while not specifically itemized, it is apparent from this specificationthat the Find key 71 is entirely directly behind the alphanumericsection 24.

It is recognized that in use, the keyboard 20 would preferably becoupled to a system, such as, but not necessarily, including a processorand software to run the application programs. The keys for the keyboard20 may be operable to provide the desired commands to the systemaccording to any known arrangement. Further, while the keyboard 20 inthe figures is shown as being of the type physically separated from acomputer or appliance, it is recognized that the keyboard may bestructurally integrated into a computer, such as a laptop, or anappliance. Additionally, while the keys as shown are preferably ofstandard size and shape for computer keyboards, it is recognized thatthe invention herein-described invention shall be limited solely by theclaims appended hereto.

1. A keyboard comprising: a plurality of keys, said plurality of keyseach functioning as predetermined command keys in a first mode andstandard function keys in a second mode; and a function lock selector,said function lock selector being actuable to change the functionalityof the plurality of keys between said first and second modes andmaintain said selected mode until a subsequent actuation of saidfunction lock selector is performed, and wherein three keys of saidplurality of keys each has an upper surface and a front side surface,said upper surface of each said key is labeled with its respectivepredetermined command as operated in said first mode, and said frontside surface of each said key is labeled with its standard function keylabel as operated in said second mode.
 2. The keyboard of claim 1, saidkeyboard further having an alphanumeric section, said plurality of keyslocated behind said alphanumeric section.
 3. The keyboard of claim 2,wherein said keys of said plurality of keys are arranged in a row, saidrow being spaced from said alphanumeric section.
 4. The keyboard ofclaim 1, wherein said plurality of keys comprises twelve keys.
 5. Thekeyboard of claim 1, wherein said function lock selector includes aFunction Lock key.
 6. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising afunction lock indicator that indicates whether the keys are operating insaid first mode or in said second mode.
 7. The keyboard of claim 6,wherein said function lock indicator includes a light-emitting member.8. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein said light emitting member islocated immediately proximate to said function lock selector.
 9. Thekeyboard of claim 7, wherein said light emitting member comprises anLED.
 10. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising multiple programlaunch keys positioned behind the plurality of keys.
 11. A keyboardcomprising: a plurality of keys, each of said plurality of keysfunctioning as a predetermined command key in a first mode and astandard function key in a second mode, said predetermined command keyfunctions including at least one of a file level command, a documentcompletion command and an e-mail command, said plurality of keys beingsecondarily labeled as standard function keys; a function lock key, saidfunction lock key being actuable to change the functionality of theplurality of keys between said first and second modes and maintain saidmode until a subsequent actuation of said function lock key isperformed; and an alphanumeric section, wherein keys in saidalphanumeric section form a key cluster in which each key of said keycluster is immediately adjacent or in close proximity to at least oneother key of said key cluster and said key cluster is set apart fromother keys on said keyboard by a distance larger than the spacingbetween adjacent keys of said key cluster and by a portion of a housingof said keyboard.